Lessons on Objects: As Given to Children Between the Ages of Six and Eight in a Pestalozzian School, At Cheam, Surrey
Book
1840 (published)
1840 (published)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Elizabeth Mayo ran Cheam School in Surrey with her brother Charles. They were both influenced by the hands-on teaching methods of Swiss pedagogue Yohann Pestalozzi. He wanted children to learn by observing, touching, and experimenting with the things around them. At Cheam, Elizabeth and Charles developed a practical curriculum including these ‘object lessons’.
The lessons in this book guide children through increasingly complex observations and deductions. Early lessons include observing the flammable properties of India rubber by 'setting it on fire' and smelling coffee beans and pepper corns. Later, children were expected to develop skills of categorisation and discriminating judgement.
Mayo's books were extremely popular, and object lessons soon entered standard classroom practice, being canonised into the curriculum after the establishment of the School Boards in the 1870s. Unfortunately, in this context the lessons became catechistic and formulaic, and images often replaced the real objects of study.
The lessons in this book guide children through increasingly complex observations and deductions. Early lessons include observing the flammable properties of India rubber by 'setting it on fire' and smelling coffee beans and pepper corns. Later, children were expected to develop skills of categorisation and discriminating judgement.
Mayo's books were extremely popular, and object lessons soon entered standard classroom practice, being canonised into the curriculum after the establishment of the School Boards in the 1870s. Unfortunately, in this context the lessons became catechistic and formulaic, and images often replaced the real objects of study.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Lessons on Objects: As Given to Children Between the Ages of Six and Eight in a Pestalozzian School, At Cheam, Surrey (manufacturer's title) |
| Materials and techniques | Paper and card, printed and cloth bound. |
| Brief description | Green hardbacked book 'Lessons on Objects' by Elizabeth Mayo, London, 1840 |
| Physical description | Dark green cloth cover over hard binding. The spine has affixed paper label reading 'Lessons on Objects - Eighth Edition - 3s. 6d.'. The first page contains markings by previous owners and booksellers, including prices of 10/- and £25. The main text is printed on approximately 240 slightly irregularly sized pages. There is a preface written by Charles Mayo (the author's brother and colleague), followed by five series of lessons differentiated by age and ability of student. After introductory lessons which establish the form of dialogue between 'Teacher' and 'Children', the lessons are mainly printed in the format of a list of qualities which are to be discerned and described. The last pages of the book comprise a vocabulary list and adverts for Elizabeth Mayo's book 'Lessons on Shells' and Cabinets of objects for study. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Production type | Limited edition |
| Marks and inscriptions | LESSONS
ON
OBJECTS
-----
EIGHTH EDITION
-----
3s. 6d. (Label on spine) |
| Gallery label |
|
| Summary | Elizabeth Mayo ran Cheam School in Surrey with her brother Charles. They were both influenced by the hands-on teaching methods of Swiss pedagogue Yohann Pestalozzi. He wanted children to learn by observing, touching, and experimenting with the things around them. At Cheam, Elizabeth and Charles developed a practical curriculum including these ‘object lessons’. The lessons in this book guide children through increasingly complex observations and deductions. Early lessons include observing the flammable properties of India rubber by 'setting it on fire' and smelling coffee beans and pepper corns. Later, children were expected to develop skills of categorisation and discriminating judgement. Mayo's books were extremely popular, and object lessons soon entered standard classroom practice, being canonised into the curriculum after the establishment of the School Boards in the 1870s. Unfortunately, in this context the lessons became catechistic and formulaic, and images often replaced the real objects of study. |
| Associated object | |
| Bibliographic reference | Parna Sengupta, An Object Lesson in Colonial Pedagogy, 'Comparative Studies in Society and History', Vol. 45, No. 1 (Jan., 2003), pp. 96-121 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | B.318-2012 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | October 26, 2012 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSON
